Retractable drill head

ABSTRACT

A retractable drill head, including a shaft including a first end and a second end, a first plate connected to the first end, the first plate including at least one cutout, a first port, and a first paddle arranged adjacent to the first port, a second plate slidably arranged on the shaft, the second plate including at least one hinge, a second port, and a second paddle arranged adjacent to the second port, and at least one cutter hingedly connected to the second plate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/583,119, filed Nov. 8, 2017, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a drill head for rock boring, and more particularly, to a drill head that can be retracted and removed from casing pipe.

BACKGROUND

Conventional boring is used for installing infrastructure such as telecommunications and power cable conduits, water lines, sewer lines, gas lines, oil lines, product pipelines, and environmental remediation casings. It is used for crossing waterways, roadways, shore approaches, congested areas, environmentally sensitive areas, and areas where other methods are costlier or not possible. It is used as an alternative to other techniques to provide less traffic disruption, lower cost, deeper and/or longer installation, no access pit, shorter completion times, directional capabilities, and environmental safety.

Typically a rock boring head is used if rock is encountered and a conventional drill head is used to drill through dirt and clay. If a rock boring head is being used to drill through rock and dirt is encountered during the process, the rock boring head must be removed and a conventional head inserted. However, rock boring heads are difficult to remove because they cannot be pulled back out through the casing pipe. In such a case, the rock boring head may be abandoned, the hole is sealed up with concrete, and a new hole is started.

Therefore, there is a long felt need for a rock boring drill head that cuts through rock at a diameter that is larger than the casing pipe, but that can be retracted and pulled back out through the casing pipe.

SUMMARY

According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a retractable drill head, comprising a shaft including a first end and a second end, a first plate connected to the first end, the first plate including at least one cutout, a first port, and a first paddle arranged adjacent to the first port, a second plate slidably arranged on the shaft, the second plate comprising at least one hinge, a second port, and a second paddle arranged adjacent to the second port, and at least one cutter hingedly connected to the second plate.

According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a retractable drill head, comprising a shaft including a first end and a second end, a first plate connected to the first end, the first plate including a first cutout, a second cutout, a first port, and a first paddle arranged adjacent to the first port, a second plate slidably arranged on the shaft, the second plate comprising a second port, and a second paddle arranged adjacent to the second port, a first cutter hingedly connected to the second plate, and a second cutter hingedly connected to the second plate.

According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a retractable drill head, comprising a shaft including a first end and a second end, a first plate connected to the first end, the first plate including at least one cutout, a second plate slidably arranged on the shaft, and at least one cutter hingedly connected to the second plate.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become readily apparent upon a review of the following detailed description of the disclosure, in view of the drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments are disclosed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a retractable drill head in a retracted mode;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the retractable drill head shown in FIG. 1, in an expanded mode;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the retractable drill head shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a cutter as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5A is a top elevational view of a primary plate as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5B is a side elevational view of the primary plate shown in FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A is a top elevational view of a secondary plate as shown in FIG. 1; and,

FIG. 6B is a side elevational view of the secondary plate shown in FIG. 6A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements. It is to be understood that the claims are not limited to the disclosed aspects.

Furthermore, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. It should be understood that any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the example embodiments. The assembly of the present disclosure could be driven by hydraulics, electronics, and/or pneumatics.

It should be appreciated that the term “substantially” is synonymous with terms such as “nearly,” “very nearly,” “about,” “approximately,” “around,” “bordering on,” “close to,” “essentially,” “in the neighborhood of,” “in the vicinity of,” etc., and such terms may be used interchangeably as appearing in the specification and claims. It should be appreciated that the term “proximate” is synonymous with terms such as “nearby,” “close,” “adjacent,” “neighboring,” “immediate,” “adjoining,” etc., and such terms may be used interchangeably as appearing in the specification and claims. The term “approximately” is intended to mean values within ten percent of the specified value.

By “non-rotatably connected” elements, we mean that: the elements are connected so that whenever one of the elements rotate, all the elements rotate; and relative rotation between the elements is not possible. Radial and/or axial movement of non-rotatably connected elements with respect to each other is possible, but not required.

Adverting now to the figures, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of retractable drill head 10 in a retracted mode. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of retractable drill head 10 in an expanded mode. FIG. 3 is an exploded view of retractable drill head 10. The following description should be read in view of FIGS. 1-6B. Retractable drill head 10 generally comprises shaft 20, secondary plate 30, primary plate 50, cutter 70, and cutter 80.

Shaft 20 comprises end 22, end 24, and bushing 26. Bushing 26 is secured to shaft 20 and arranged between ends 22 and 24. Shaft 20 extends through secondary plate 30 and is secured to primary plate 50 at end 24, as will be discussed in greater detail below. Bushing 26 acts as a stop, such that when retractable drill head 10 is fully expanded, bushing 26 abuts against bushing 32 (see FIG. 2). In some embodiments, shaft 20 comprises a hexagonal geometry. However, it should be appreciated that shaft 20 may have any geometry suitable for slidingly engaging secondary plate 30 and being secured to primary plate 50, such as triangular, square, circular, ovular, trapezoidal, octagonal, and star-shaped. Shaft 20 may further comprise through-bore 28 proximate end 22.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of cutter 70. Cutter 70 comprises arm 72, hinge 74, ramp 76, and cutting head 78. Hinge 74 is connected to end 73A of arm 72 and comprises one or more fingers arranged to be secured to the one or more fingers of hinge 42 of secondary plate 30, as will be discussed in greater detail below. Hinge 74 can be connected to arm 72 using any suitable means, such as welds, bolts, rivets, and adhesives. In some embodiments, hinge 74 is fixedly secured to end 73A and further comprises a truss for added strength. Cutting head 78 is connected to end 73B of arm 72. Cutting head 78 is a rock cutter head arranged to bore through rock formations, harp pan, shale, gravel, small boulders, and other like intrusive ground conditions. Cutting head 78 can be connected to arm 72 using any suitable means, such as welds, bolts, rivets, and adhesives. In some embodiments, cutting head 78 is fixedly secured to end 73B and further comprises a truss for added strength. Ramp 76 is connected to arm 72 proximate end 73B. Ramp 76 is arranged to be engaged by primary plate 50 thereby forcing arm 72 radially outward, as will be discussed in greater detail below. In the direction from end 73A to end 73B, ramp 76 increases in height. Ramp 76 can be connected to arm 72 using any suitable means, such as welds, bolts, rivets, and adhesives. In some embodiments, ramp 76 is fixedly secured to arm 72. It should be appreciated that cutter 70 may be connected to secondary plate 30 using any style of hinge suitable for the durability of rock boring.

Cutter 80 is substantially similar to cutter 70. Cutter 80 comprises arm 82, hinge 84, ramp 86, and cutting head 88. Hinge 84 is connected to end 83A of arm 82 and comprises one or more fingers arranged to be secured to the one or more fingers of hinge 44 of secondary plate 30, as will be discussed in greater detail below. Hinge 84 can be connected to arm 82 using any suitable means, such as welds, bolts, rivets, and adhesives. In some embodiments, hinge 84 is fixedly secured to end 83A and further comprises a truss for added strength. Cutting head 88 is connected to end 83B of arm 82. Cutting head 88 is a rock cutter head arranged to bore through rock formations, harp pan, shale, gravel, small boulders, and other like intrusive ground conditions. Cutting head 88 can be connected to arm 82 using any suitable means, such as welds, bolts, rivets, and adhesives. In some embodiments, cutting head 88 is fixedly secured to end 83B and further comprises a truss for added strength. Ramp 86 is connected to arm 82 proximate end 83B. Ramp 86 is arranged to be engaged by primary plate 50 thereby forcing arm 82 radially outward, as will be discussed in greater detail below. In the direction from end 83A to end 83B, ramp 86 increases in height. Ramp 86 can be connected to arm 82 using any suitable means, such as welds, bolts, rivets, and adhesives. In some embodiments, ramp 86 is fixedly secured to arm 82. It should be appreciated that cutter 80 may be connected to secondary plate 30 using any style of hinge suitable for the durability of rock boring. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that in some embodiments, retractable drill head 10 may comprise one or more cutters, and that this disclosure is not limited to two cutters.

FIG. 5A is a top elevational view of primary plate 50. FIG. 5B is a side elevational view of primary plate 50. Primary plate 50 comprises flange 54, socket 52, dirt paddle 60, and cutter pockets 66A-C. Flange 54 is a substantially disc-shaped plate having surface 53 and surface 55. Flange 54 further comprises cutout 62, cutout 64, and dirt port 58. Cutout 62 comprises edge 63 and is arranged to engage arm 72. Specifically, edge 63 is arranged to engage ramp 76 and displace arm 72 radially outward. Cutout 64 comprises edge 65 and is arranged to engage arm 82. Specifically, edge 65 is arranged to engage ramp 86 and displace arm 82 radially outward. In some embodiments, cutout 64 is arranged diametrically opposed to cutout 62. Dirt port 58 is a cutout arranged in flange 54. Dirt paddle 60 extends from surface 55 and is arranged adjacent to dirt port 58. Dirt paddle 60 acts as an auger to pull loose material, such as rock and dirt, back from the head of the hole. Dirt paddle 60 forces loose material back through dirt port 58 and toward secondary plate 30. In some embodiments, dirt paddle 60 is arranged non-perpendicular to flange 54. In some embodiments, dirt paddle 60 is arranged perpendicular to flange 54. Socket 52 extends from surface 53 and includes hole 56. Socket 52 is arranged to be non-rotatably connected to end 24 of shaft 20. Socket 52 can be connected to shaft 20 using any suitable means, such as welds, bolts, rivets, and adhesives. In some embodiments, hole 56 is hexagonal to match the hexagonal geometry of shaft 20. However, it should be appreciated that hole 56 may have any geometry suitable for securing primary plate 50 to shaft 20, such as triangular, square, circular, ovular, trapezoidal, octagonal, and star-shaped. Cutter pockets 66A-C are arranged on surface 55. Cutter pockets 66A-C are generally rectangular receptacles to secure cutters, such as rotary cutters. The cutters that are secured in cutter pockets 66A-C are arranged to cut through rock formations, harp pan, shale, gravel, small boulders, and other like intrusive ground conditions. Cutter pockets 66A-C can be connected to surface 55 using any suitable means, such as welds, bolts, rivets, and adhesives. It should be appreciated that any suitable number of cutter pockets, and thus cutters, may be used, and that this application is not limited to only using three cutter pockets. Cutters may be secured in cutter pockets 66A-C using any suitable means, such as welds, bolts, rivets, and adhesives.

FIG. 6A is a top elevational view of secondary plate 30. FIG. 6B is a side elevational view of secondary plate 30. Secondary plate 30 comprises flange 34, bushing 32, through-hole 36, dirt paddle 40, and hinges 42 and 44. Flange 34 is a substantially disc-shaped plate having surface 33 and surface 35. Flange 34 further comprises dirt port 38. Dirt port 38 is a cutout arranged in flange 34. Dirt paddle 40 extends through flange 34 and is arranged adjacent to dirt port 38. Dirt paddle 40 acts as an auger to pull loose material, such as rock and dirt, back from primary plate 50. Dirt paddle 40 forces loose material back through dirt port 38 and toward the boring hole entry. In some embodiments, dirt paddle 40 is arranged non-perpendicular to flange 34. In some embodiments, dirt paddle 40 is arranged perpendicular to flange 34. Bushing 32 extends from surface 33. Through-hole 36 extends through bushing 32 and flange 34. Secondary plate 30 is arranged to be slidingly connected to shaft 20. Specifically, shaft 20 extends through through-hole 36. In some embodiments, secondary plate 30 is non-rotatably connected to shaft 20. In some embodiments, through-hole 36 is hexagonal to match the hexagonal geometry of shaft 20. However, it should be appreciated that through-hole 36 may have any geometry suitable for slidably connecting secondary plate 30 to shaft 20, such as triangular, square, circular, ovular, trapezoidal, octagonal, and star-shaped. Hinge 42 is arranged on surface 35 proximate through-hole 36. Hinge 42 comprises one or more fingers arranged to engage the one or more fingers of hinge 74 of cutter 70. Hinge 74 is secured to hinge 42 with fastener 92 (as shown in FIG. 2). Hinge 42 can be connected to surface 35 using any suitable means, such as welds, bolts, rivets, and adhesives. Hinge 44 is arranged on surface 35 proximate through-hole 36. Hinge 44 comprises one or more fingers arranged to engage the one or more fingers of hinge 84 of cutter 80. Hinge 84 is secured to hinge 44 with fastener 94 (as shown in FIG. 2). Hinge 44 can be connected to surface 35 using any suitable means, such as welds, bolts, rivets, and adhesives. In some embodiments, hinge 44 is arranged diametrically opposed to hinge 42. It should be appreciated that hinges 42 and 44 should be arranged on secondary plate 30 such that cutters 70 and 80 align with cutouts 62 and 64 on primary plate 50, respectively.

Cutters 70 and 80 are hingedly secured to secondary plate 30 such that ramps 76 and 86 are arranged facing radially inward (i.e., toward each other). Specifically, hinges 74 and 84 are connected to hinges 42 and 44, respectively, with cutters 70 and 80 engaged with cutouts 62 and 64, respectively.

When retractable drill head 10 is in a retracted mode, as shown in FIG. 1, primary plate 50 is arranged at distance D1 from secondary plate 30. Hinges 74/42 and 84/44 allow respective cutters 70 and 80 to displace radially inward toward each other. Edges 63 and 65 are engaged with arms 72 and 82, respectively, or are not fully engaged with ramps 76 and 86, respectively. Bushing 26 is spaced apart from bushing 32.

When retractable drill head 10 is in an expanded mode, as shown in FIG. 2, primary plate 50 is arranged at distance D2 from secondary plate 30. Distance D2 is greater than distance D1. Shaft 20 is displaced relative to secondary plate 30, thereby displacing primary plate 50 relative to secondary plate 50. As this occurs, edges 63 and 65 ride along ramps 76 and 86, respectively. Hinges 74/42 and 84/44 allow respective cutters 70 and 80 to displace radially outward away from each other. Edges 63 and 65 are engaged with ramps 76 and 86, respectively. Bushing 26 abuts against bushing 32 when retractable drill head 10 is fully engaged.

It will be appreciated that various aspects of the disclosure above and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   10 Retractable drill head -   20 Shaft -   22 End -   24 End -   26 Bushing -   28 Through-bore -   30 Secondary plate -   32 Bushing -   33 Surface -   34 Flange -   35 Surface -   36 Through-hole -   38 Dirt port -   40 Dirt paddle -   42 Hinge -   44 Hinge -   50 Primary plate -   52 Socket -   53 Surface -   54 Flange -   55 Surface -   56 Hole -   57 Through-bore -   58 Dirt port -   60 Dirt paddle -   62 Cutout -   64 Cutout -   66A Cutter pocket -   66B Cutter pocket -   66C Cutter pocket -   70 Cutter -   72 Arm -   73A End -   73B End -   74 Hinge -   76 Ramp -   78 Cutting head -   80 Cutter -   82 Arm -   83A End -   83B End -   84 Hinge -   86 Ramp -   88 Cutting head -   92 Fastener -   94 Fastener -   D1 Distance -   D2 Distance 

What is claimed is:
 1. A retractable drill head, comprising: a shaft including a first end and a second end; a first plate connected to the first end, the first plate including: at least one cutout; a first port; and, a first paddle arranged adjacent to the first port; a second plate slidably arranged on the shaft, the second plate comprising: at least one hinge; a second port; and, a second paddle arranged adjacent to the second port; and, at least one cutter hingedly connected to the second plate.
 2. The retractable drill head as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one cutter comprises: a first end connected to the at least one hinge; an arm; and, a second end including a cutting head.
 3. The retractable drill head as recited in claim 2, wherein the arm is engaged with the at least one cutout.
 4. The retractable drill head as recited in claim 3, wherein the arm comprises a ramp arranged to engage the at least one cutout.
 5. The retractable drill head as recited in claim 4, wherein the cutting head extends past the first plate in a first axial direction.
 6. The retractable drill head as recited in claim 5, wherein in a retracted mode: the first plate is arranged at a first distance relative to the second plate; and, the at least one cutout is: not engaged with the ramp; or, partially engaged with the ramp.
 7. The retractable drill head as recited in claim 6, wherein in a fully expanded mode: the first plate is arranged at a second distance relative to the second plate, the second distance being greater than the first distance; and, the at least one cutout is fully engaged with the ramp.
 8. The retractable drill head as recited in claim 5, wherein the first plate further comprises one or more cutting pockets extending in the first axial direction, the one or more cutting pockets operatively arranged to secure one or more cutters.
 9. A retractable drill head, comprising: a shaft including a first end and a second end; a first plate connected to the first end, the first plate including: a first cutout; a second cutout; a first port; and, a first paddle arranged adjacent to the first port; a second plate slidably arranged on the shaft, the second plate comprising: a second port; and, a second paddle arranged adjacent to the second port; a first cutter hingedly connected to the second plate; and, a second cutter hingedly connected to the second plate.
 10. The retractable drill head as recited in claim 9, wherein: the first cutter comprises a first arm connected to the second plate and a first cutting head; and, the second cutter comprises a second arm connected to the second plate and a second cutting head.
 11. The retractable drill head as recited in claim 10, wherein the first arm is engaged with the first cutout and the second arm is engaged with the second cutout.
 12. The retractable drill head as recited in claim 11, wherein the first arm comprises a first ramp arranged to engage the first cutout and the second arm comprises a second ramp arranged to engage the second cutout.
 13. The retractable drill head as recited in claim 12, wherein the first and second cutting heads extends past the first plate in a first axial direction.
 14. The retractable drill head as recited in claim 13, wherein in a retracted mode: the first plate is arranged at a first distance relative to the second plate; and, the first and second cutouts are: not engaged with the first and second ramps, respectively; or, partially engaged with the first and second ramps, respectively.
 15. The retractable drill head as recited in claim 14, wherein in a fully expanded mode: the first plate is arranged at a second distance relative to the second plate, the second distance being greater than the first distance; and, the first and second cutouts are fully engaged with the first and second ramps, respectively.
 16. The retractable drill head as recited in claim 13, wherein the first plate further comprises one or more cutting pockets extending in the first axial direction, the one or more cutting pockets operatively arranged to secure one or more cutters.
 17. A retractable drill head, comprising: a shaft including a first end and a second end; a first plate connected to the first end, the first plate including at least one cutout; a second plate slidably arranged on the shaft; and, at least one cutter hingedly connected to the second plate.
 18. The retractable drill head as recited in claim 17, wherein the at least one cutter comprises: an arm engaged with the at least one cutout; and, a cutting head extending past the first plate in a first axial direction.
 19. The retractable drill head as recited in claim 18, wherein the arm comprises a ramp arranged to engage the first cutout and force the cutting head radially outward.
 20. The retractable drill head as recited in claim 19, wherein: in a retracted mode the at least one cutout is: not engaged with the ramp; or, partially engaged with the ramp; and, in a fully expanded mode the at least one cutout is fully engaged with the ramp. 